Yeomen of the Guard

Havant Light Opera presents ;

THE YEOMEN OF THE GUARD  or THE MERRYMAN AND HIS MAID - at The Spring from the 24th to the 27th June at 7.30, with a matinee performance at 2.30 on Saturday June 27th

Come with us to the Grim Fortress of the Tower of London in the bad old days of Tudor England! This is the setting for Gibert and Sullivan’s dramatic opera, regarded by many as their best, and most operatic collaboration.

It tells of treachery and intrigue in Tudor England, where a war hero and gentleman is under sentence of death on a charge of Sorcery – an accusation laid against him by a greedy relative, influential at the King’s Court, who wishes to take possession of his estates. Colonel Fairfax holds his lands on the condition that he is married, and at present he is a single gentleman. Imprisoned in the Tower of London. The hour of his execution draws ever closer, and fire breaks out in the Beauchamp Tower. Will he manage to escape in the confusion, or will his former soldiers, now proud Yeomen Warders of the Tower be able to save him?

Into this tense situation  come strolling player, Jack Point, and his beautiful assistant Elsie Maynard. Who knows how their lives will be changed by their urgent need for money for Elsie’s sick Mother?

Come and find out when “The Merryman and his Maid” take to the stage in June 2026 !

Running time: 140 minutes (including an interval)